Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla hopes his eldest son, Juanito Jose Remulla III, can redeem himself after he was cleared of illegal drug possession charges by a Las Piñas court.
“The court has already a decision. I did not interfere to the process. I wish my son further redemption in the future,” the Department of Justice (DOJ) chief told reporters on Friday.
The Las Piñas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 197 acquitted Juanito, 38, who was arrested in his home in October 2022 while receiving a parcel containing kush or high-grade marijuana valued at ₱1.25 million.
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He was apprehended in a “controlled delivery operation,” where authorities attempt to catch the recipient of a package which they already know contains prohibited items.
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The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), meanwhile, stated it will carefully examine the causes of the exoneration and “exercise due diligence” while carrying out similar operations in the future.
“The Court has seen both sides of the case and is in the best position to rule over the merits,” PDEA said in a statement.
Juanito is still facing a separate complaint for drug importation and violation of customs law at the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office, but his camp noted this is not yet a criminal case.
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His lawyer, Pearlito Campanilla, told CNN Philippines’ The Source that they expect Juanito’s release within Friday.
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“Kumuha po kami kanina (ng clearance), wala pong warrant of arrest sa ibang korte kung saan finile ‘yung illegal importation na ‘yan… So, ang legal and logical consequence ng acquittal niya ngayon eh talaga pong dapat palabasin siya sa kanyang pagkaka-detain,” he said.
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[Translation: We secured a clearance earlier, there’s no warrant of arrest in another court where the illegal importation case was filed. So, the legal and logical consequence of his acquittal really is his release from detention.]
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Grounds for acquittal
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In the court decision, acting presiding Judge Ricardo Moldez II said there is “reasonable doubt” that Remulla knowingly received the package, as his reactions “were consistent with a person who was not expecting a parcel.”
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The younger Remulla said the delivery came as a surprise, saying he did not know its contents and that he did not pay for it.
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The “evidence for the prosecution” portion in the ruling also stated that when the agent who sent the delivery asked for a “Juanito Remulla,” the latter said he was not expecting to receive anything.
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When asked if he knew a certain Benjamin Huffman, who was the sender of the item, Juanito answered, “Hindi ko kilala ‘yan pero kung nakapangalan sa akin, kunin ko na. [I don’t know that person, but if I’m the identified consignee, then I’ll get the package.]
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The court also said Remulla insisted that the box was just handed to him. He said he immediately threw the item away as he felt he was being set up.
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Another reason the court dismissed the case was that it believes the mere act of receiving a package during a controlled delivery is insufficient to establish criminal liability.
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It also expressed “serious reservations on the integrity and evidentiary value of the dangerous drugs allegedly seized.”
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The court said this was because nothing in the records showed how the parcel was handled and stored from the time it was first discovered by authorities.
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“The prosecution must establish that the drugs presented in court as evidence are the exact same drugs seized from the accused and examined by the crime laboratory…When a court cannot be assured that the drugs presented as evidence are exactly what the prosecution purports them to be, a conviction will not be forthcoming,” it said.
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Remulla’s arrest earlier sparked calls for the resignation of his father, but the Department of Justice (DOJ) chief maintained “it will not happen.”
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The Cabinet official vowed he will neither intervene nor influence the investigation into his son’s case.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also said he sees no basis for Remulla to step down.
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Asked for plans after his release, Campanilla said Juanito will just be spending time with his family.
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“Ang concern niya is kung paano raw niya maibabalik yung nasira niyang reputation [His concern is how he will repair his ruined reputation],” the lawyer added.
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Justice system questioned
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The swift resolution of Juanito’s case prompted some to point out how differently the wheels of justice turn for others.
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Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary General Renato Reyes said while the public is not in a position to judge the guilt or innocence of the DOJ chief’s son, it can point out that such a speedy trial is not accorded to many of the poor, including those languishing in jail on false charges.
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“He got a speedy trial, and his case resolved within 75 days. Many others, especially the poor, are not so fortunate. And that is what is wrong with our justice system,” he said.
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Bayan Muna Executive Vice President Carlos Isagani Zarate made a similar comment, saying several people killed in the government’s bloody drug war were “not even given the same chance of due process.”
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“If only this kind of swift resolution to a highly controversial case involving a scion of influential families like the Remullas will also be applied to the cases of hundreds of political prisoners and thousands more less privileged Filipinos languishing in many detention facilities all over the country, we can honestly say this indeed is a welcome one, an exemplar of how our justice system works!” Zarate said.
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However, Campanilla said the 75-day period is in accordance with a Supreme Court circular issued in 2017.
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The circular states that a drug case trial should be finished within no longer than 60 days from the filing of information, and a decision must be made within 15 days after the submission of the case for resolution.
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“Gano’n po ang nangyayari, not unless meron pong compelling reason, ibig sabihin talagang meron na pong malubhang dahilan para hindi po matupad yung 75 days or mayroon pong waiver yung any of the parties about the 75 days,” Campanilla said.
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